Rookie to the braid game - creek fishing

[fixxer12]

Hi!

 

I do all of my fishing on skinny water from a kayak. The typical large/smallmouth I hook are 3 pounds at most. I have had a couple of 4-5 pounders pop off, though.

 

Can you make recommendations on fishing line for my top lures? I've been experimenting with braid to fluoro leader lately and have been impressed. 

 

I fish mostly 4" dingers, 5" senkos, super flukes and dead ringers. I also tie on some 3-4" strike king or keitechs from time to time.

 

And alot of 1/8 oz to 1/6 oz rooster tails.

 

I also use 6' to 6'6" light to medium light spinning rods.

 

I've toyed with maybe trying a casting setup at some point, but at a loss for what a good size would be for creek fishing.

 

Thanks in advance!

[bulldog1935]

BaitFinesseEmpire is a good US source for tackle, and they import quite a bit of JDM finesse tackle. 

 

The Old Reliable Best-Behaved braid is Sufix 832, which I fish down to 6-lb (0.14 mm dia). 

You should have no problem fishing 8- or 10-lb for the weights you're describing. 

Here's the capacity calculator for different line diameters on your spool. 

This one is for stacking different line diameters on your spool. 

 

Braid on spinning - the reel must have a ball-bearing line roller (preferably in good condition).  

 

All this began with creek fishing in Japan, where you'll find X-braid down to PE#0.3 (0.09 mm dia) - the smallest I fish on spinning is PE#0.5, and the smallest on baitcaster is PE#0.8. 

If you notice, the X-braids are over twice strength/dia. as 832

When you get to these tiny thread-size braids, shallow spools for both spinning and baitcaster are necessary. 

 

Of course, rather than customizing a tiny Ambassadeur for this niche, the simplest and most cost-effective way to get into BFS is to buy a ready-to-go BFS reel, or even better, fit a micro-cast, honeycomb, etc. BFS spool and "Air" BFS spool bearings to your existing low profile baitcaster. 

If you have a reel you want to try, send me a pm, and we'll see if we can find a Momo spool on "Express" website. 

[newapti5]

I like Sufix 832 as well. After trying so many other brands, I still put it among the top list of my choice. And a very good alternative is the Chinese brand SeaKnight S9 or W8. They're very similar to 832 on behavior, performance, and diameter, but only half the price. 

[T-Billy]

5 hours ago, newapti5 said:

I like Sufix 832 as well. After trying so many other brands, I still put it among the top list of my choice. And a very good alternative is the Chinese brand SeaKnight S9 or W8. They're very similar to 832 on behavior, performance, and diameter, but only half the price. 

Thanks for the tip on the SK braid. I only use 832 for bottom contact as it's the most abrasion resistant braid I've found and it handles great, but cheap chinese stuff has worked well for me for moving baits. I've been using Angry Fish in lo vis gray for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. It's been great. Smooth, durable, and holds it's color really well, but it's only available in 8 strand in 40# and up. I just ordered a spool of SK 30# in grey. 547yds for $20. Looking forward to trying it out next weekend on my new spinnerbait stick.

[newapti5]

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Thanks for the tip on the SK braid. I only use 832 for bottom contact as it's the most abrasion resistant braid I've found and it handles great, but cheap chinese stuff has worked well for me for moving baits. I've been using Angry Fish in lo vis gray for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. It's been great. Smooth, durable, and holds it's color really well, but it's only available in 8 strand in 40# and up. I just ordered a spool of SK 30# in grey. 547yds for $20. Looking forward to trying it out next weekend on my new spinnerbait stick.

 

No problem. I've been using the same spool of W8 and S9 for a couple of seasons already, with some fluoro leaders for bottom fishing. They still hold up pretty well, and I don't see the need to change them.  But the listed diameter may be incorrect. Here's a comparison of 20lb W8 with 20lb 832. It's about the same diameter. 

 

[casts_by_fly]

11 hours ago, fixxer12 said:

Hi!

 

I do all of my fishing on skinny water from a kayak. The typical large/smallmouth I hook are 3 pounds at most. I have had a couple of 4-5 pounders pop off, though.

 

Can you make recommendations on fishing line for my top lures? I've been experimenting with braid to fluoro leader lately and have been impressed. 

 

I fish mostly 4" dingers, 5" senkos, super flukes and dead ringers. I also tie on some 3-4" strike king or keitechs from time to time.

 

And alot of 1/8 oz to 1/6 oz rooster tails.

 

I also use 6' to 6'6" light to medium light spinning rods.

 

I've toyed with maybe trying a casting setup at some point, but at a loss for what a good size would be for creek fishing.

 

Thanks in advance!

if you’re set on trying braid, 832 is hard to beat. 10 lb on a ml spinning rod would fish well for creek bass with an 8lb flouro leader, maybe even 6 lb.  But given all options, I’d fish something like 8-10 lb Sunline supernatural mono. Growing up we fished 6 and 8 lb trilene xl for the same as you’re describing. Having just spooled supernatural 12 lb, I’m confident 8lb supernatural would be great in a creek. 

[RDB]

No need to overcomplicate things.  Stay within the rod line ratings and choose the braid you prefer.  People will swear by one braid over another but in a blind test, as long as it’s good quality, few would be able to distinguish the difference.  I use 832 and Powerpro on all my spinning setups but I’m not married to either as long as it’s high vis.  I prefer a 12-15’ 8lb fluoro leader but my leaders are much longer than most choose.

[fixxer12]

Thanks for all the tips!

 

I also use a lot of Rooster Tails, Panther Martins and Mepps inline spinners. Is braid to a FC leader a good option here? Or best to stick with my mono setups?

[bulldog1935]

Braid to leader works great - there are several good knot options - FG knot, Alberto, improved Allbright. 

I've been rolling Allbright knots 40 years, so I'm set with those. 

when I tie them at the bench, I wet the finished knot with thin super glue. 

 

You'll also want a swivel with your rooster tails (always a good idea with spinning).  Several options, tie in the swivel for your braid/leader joint. 

I put a perfection loop in my leader business end, and loop-on micro-swivel bite traces, micro-hook swivels, paper clip, complex rigs, or sacrificial fluoro tippet (for tying direct). 

 

@newapti5 from filling spools, I've found 832 is slightly thicker than reported, and X-braid is slightly thinner than reported. 

[RDB]

9 hours ago, fixxer12 said:

Thanks for all the tips!

 

I also use a lot of Rooster Tails, Panther Martins and Mepps inline spinners. Is braid to a FC leader a good option here? Or best to stick with my mono setups?

I haven’t used those in many years but I don’t see any reason why  braid to whatever leader type you choose would be a problem.  Others may have a more informed opinion.  For spinning gear, I always use braid to leader.  IMO, it’s MUCH more manageable for a number of reasons including not having to deal with line coiling issues.